Monica Ell removed as Health Minister in Nunavut cabinet shuffle

In a news release on Friday, Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna announced several changes to cabinet, including removing Monica Ell from the government's troubled Health Department.

The department has been under fire since revelations emerged from a CBC investigation in October.

Internal government emails obtained by CBC show that the territorial government put the public health of Cape Dorset "at risk" by mishandling a nurse facing numerous complaints.

• Investigation: Death and denial in Cape Dorset

One of the complaints stemmed from the 2012 death of a three-month-old boy, Makibi Timilak, who died from a common viral infection after the nurse allegedly refused to see him.

Earlier this month, the government announcedit had ordered an external review of the incidents.

Former Premier Paul Okalik will take over responsibility for the Health Department, while remaining responsible for Justice and Immigration.

Ell will remain deputy premier and will take responsibility for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation as well as Energy and Mines.

George Kuksuk, who formerly held all three of Ell's new portfolios, will take over responsibility for the Department of Culture and Heritage, as well as Language, and Labour and the Liquor Licensing Board, all of which were formerly under Okalik.

Kuksuk remains responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp.

Keith Peterson is still in charge of Finance, the Liquor Commission and Workers Safety and Compensation Board.

He also takes over the Qulliq Energy Corp., which was formerly under Okalik.

Johnny Mike remains minister of Environment, Tom Sammurtok minister of Community and Government Services and Jeanny Ugyuk minister of Family Services.

Ugyuk remains responsible for Poverty Reduction, Homelessness and the Status of Women.

Paul Quassa will become the Government house leader, in addition to his portfolios of Education and Nunavut Arctic College,when the changes take effect this Friday.

The changes follow a cabinet retreat in Whale Cove, about one year after Taptuna was first elected.